How To Fire Juggle

Training for a UCD Juggling Society Fire Show

As outlined in the UCD Juggling Society's Fire Show Safety Manual, all potential performers at our Fire Shows must be graded and trained by our designated Trainers. Training must adhere to all of the protocols outlined in our Fire Juggling Safety page.

Roles

All of these roles must be filled before Training may take place.

• Head Trainer: The organiser who doesn’t have to engage in Training themselves but can if necessary.
• Fire Marshal: An experienced performer who will give oversight to Training.
• Stewards: As outlined in the Safety Statement, four types of Steward are required to help run the Training, fueling etc.
• Trainer: Trainers are the people who will instruct during Training. Trainers will be training others up to a grade less than or equal to their own.
• Trainee: This is the person who will be instructed during Training.

Grading

Before someone may train to Fire Juggle with UCD Juggling Society they must be graded as to their fire performing eligibility with each prop.

• A grade zero performer is someone who has never used the specified prop previously.
• A grade one performer is someone who has shown competence with non-fire forms of the specified prop. Before they will be allowed to use a lighted prop, all trainees will be required to have reached this grade.
• A grade two performer is someone who has shown competency with the specified prop by using it lit during daylight. Only trainees who have obtained the title of at least a grade two performer will be allowed to perform at night or to train others.
• A grade three performer is someone who has shown competency with the specified prop by using it lit without daylight.

Training

Pre-checks:

• Fire props are checked for safety by the Event Manager using a pre-designated checklist.
• Performers should wear natural fiber materials e.g. cotton, wool or denim.
• Performers clothing should be reasonably tight.
• Performers should have long hair tied back and either have it dampened hair or be wearing a fire-resistant hat. They should not be wearing hair spray.
• Performers must not be wearing dangling items, loose-weave or light/middle-weight cotton.

Lighting props:

• The wicks are placed in the soaking can.
• Fuel is poured in avoiding the handles.
• Excess fuel is removed by shaking/spinning in the designated Fuel Storage Area.
• Any excess fuel is removed from hands or handles before lighting.
• Props will not be lit until performer enters the designated Performance Area.

Performing with the prop:

• Performers may stop at any time.
• Performers will only perform tricks previously agreed with the Event Manager.
• Upon hearing the safety word, performers will immediately move to the damp towel and quench their props.
• Trainers will first demonstrate to Trainees how to perform with the prop.
• Trainees will then engage in performing with the prop under the supervision of the Trainer.
• Trainers will only teach tricks previously agreed with the Head Trainer.

Extinguishing the prop:

• Lay the wick on the towel.
• Cover the wick with the towel.
• Pat around the base of the wick and then the top.
• Wait until the wicks have cooled to perform again.
• Only use the extinguishers if flames have spread off of the prop.
• When using the fire extinguisher aim it at the bottom of the fire and spray it side to side.
• If a person is on fire use a fire blanket to extinguish the flames from top to bottom to protect their face.

Clean Up:

• Use a designated plastic bag or other such container to store any equipment which has come into contact with fuel.
• Extra fuel is poured into its storage container using a funnel.
• Any spilled fuel is covered with sand/salt.
• Tidy the area.